Meta, the parent company of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, recently responded to concerns raised by users who claimed they were "automatically" following accounts related to the new Trump administration following Donald Trump's second inauguration. Users expressed frustration at being linked to official accounts of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and First Lady Melania Trump.
Meta Addresses Claims of Forced Follows Post-Trump Inauguration
Meta Addresses Claims of Forced Follows Post-Trump Inauguration
Meta has refuted allegations that users were compelled to follow Trump administration accounts on social media.
In a statement, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone clarified that these accounts, including Potus (President of the United States), VicePresident, and Flotus (First Lady of the United States), were updated under the management of the White House to reflect the change in leadership. Stone pointed out that this protocol is consistent with practices followed during previous presidential transitions. He noted that while users may experience delays in following or unfollowing accounts as they switch managements, it is a regular part of the transition process.
Trump’s inauguration led him to quickly issue several executive orders, impacting areas such as international relations and border policies. The event also attracted notable figures from the tech world, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former Twitter chief Elon Musk, who has a new advisory role within the Trump administration.
Despite his current status, Trump has been vocal about his past conflicts with Meta, which banned him in 2021 for inciting violence during the Capitol riots. He previously accused the company of collaborating with the Biden administration to suppress information regarding Biden's family and Covid-19 discussions. In a notable contrast, Zuckerberg has since shown a more conciliatory approach toward Trump, attending personal dinners and donating to Trump’s inauguration.
In a move to address concerns raised by Trump, Meta announced it would transition away from third-party fact-checking, reverting to a method that aligns more closely with community-driven notes, a shift that represents its renewed focus on "free expression." This decision has been met with scrutiny and raises questions about the platform's content moderation strategies moving forward.
Trump’s inauguration led him to quickly issue several executive orders, impacting areas such as international relations and border policies. The event also attracted notable figures from the tech world, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former Twitter chief Elon Musk, who has a new advisory role within the Trump administration.
Despite his current status, Trump has been vocal about his past conflicts with Meta, which banned him in 2021 for inciting violence during the Capitol riots. He previously accused the company of collaborating with the Biden administration to suppress information regarding Biden's family and Covid-19 discussions. In a notable contrast, Zuckerberg has since shown a more conciliatory approach toward Trump, attending personal dinners and donating to Trump’s inauguration.
In a move to address concerns raised by Trump, Meta announced it would transition away from third-party fact-checking, reverting to a method that aligns more closely with community-driven notes, a shift that represents its renewed focus on "free expression." This decision has been met with scrutiny and raises questions about the platform's content moderation strategies moving forward.
